Pilot hospital project is a success
An innovative pilot project between Carmarthenshire County Council’s social services transport unit and Hywel Dda Health Board has proved so successful that it has been extended.
The project transports patients home from Mynydd Mawr and Amman Valley hospitals.
It has proved so successful that it has now been extended on a trial basis to West Wales General Hospital, and also provides transport for patients attending out-patient clinics at Prince Philip Hospital.
Cllr Pat Jones, executive board member for health and social care, said: “This service is making a genuine difference to patients who may otherwise have to spend extra time in hospital without any real medical need for them to stay.
“Partnership services such as this are making all the difference to a patient’s experience of hospital and social care services.”
The scheme ensures patients are discharged in line with health board performance targets, which in turn improves patient flow.
Drivers have been through a comprehensive training programme that includes manual handling and first aid.
Gill Webber, senior nurse at Hywel Dda Health Board community hospitals, said: “This project has provided an opportunity for social services and health care to work closely together to improve transport services for our elderly patients. The transport service is extremely punctual and is able to provide an appointment time service for our patient's discharge home.”
Peter Llewellyn, head of strategic partnerships for Hywel Dda Health Board, added: “This is an excellent example of partnership working between the local authority and the health board. We have contacted each of the patients who have already benefited from this service and the feedback has been very positive.”
Pictured, from left, transport project co-ordinator Eric James; health care support worker Daryl Bowen; driver Aubrey Davies; service user Mrs Gwyneth George; health care support worker Susan Rimmington and Sister Catrin Madge. Pic Jeff Connell
The project transports patients home from Mynydd Mawr and Amman Valley hospitals.
It has proved so successful that it has now been extended on a trial basis to West Wales General Hospital, and also provides transport for patients attending out-patient clinics at Prince Philip Hospital.
Cllr Pat Jones, executive board member for health and social care, said: “This service is making a genuine difference to patients who may otherwise have to spend extra time in hospital without any real medical need for them to stay.
“Partnership services such as this are making all the difference to a patient’s experience of hospital and social care services.”
The scheme ensures patients are discharged in line with health board performance targets, which in turn improves patient flow.
Drivers have been through a comprehensive training programme that includes manual handling and first aid.
Gill Webber, senior nurse at Hywel Dda Health Board community hospitals, said: “This project has provided an opportunity for social services and health care to work closely together to improve transport services for our elderly patients. The transport service is extremely punctual and is able to provide an appointment time service for our patient's discharge home.”
Peter Llewellyn, head of strategic partnerships for Hywel Dda Health Board, added: “This is an excellent example of partnership working between the local authority and the health board. We have contacted each of the patients who have already benefited from this service and the feedback has been very positive.”
Pictured, from left, transport project co-ordinator Eric James; health care support worker Daryl Bowen; driver Aubrey Davies; service user Mrs Gwyneth George; health care support worker Susan Rimmington and Sister Catrin Madge. Pic Jeff Connell
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